Drive to tackle poverty and improve lives in South Tyneside

Council chiefs have backed several pledges as part of a drive to tackle poverty and improve lives in South Tyneside.
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In 2020 year, South Tyneside Council’s People Select Committee launched a commission in a bid to lift the lid on poverty issues in the borough.

The scrutiny panel has looked at aspects of poverty in previous years, such as the impact of Universal Credit and homelessness, but is now looking to take a more strategic view of the issue.

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This aims to ensure the council is doing everything possible to help people to avoid or escape poverty, as well as mitigating against its effects.

The meeting heard how South Tyneside is a wonderful place - but less so for those struggling to make ends meetThe meeting heard how South Tyneside is a wonderful place - but less so for those struggling to make ends meet
The meeting heard how South Tyneside is a wonderful place - but less so for those struggling to make ends meet

Although the commission is set to last for a year, the committee asked for some recommendations to be brought forward urgently in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor John McCabe, who chairs the People Select Committee, presented a report on the commission at Wednesday’s (January 6) cabinet meeting.

The scrutiny panel’s recommendations, which were backed by cabinet, included:

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:: Updating the borough’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy for 2021-22 to make “explicit reference to the need for family centred place based public health programmes which invest more in interventions that reduce social and environmental inequalities.”

:: Calls for the North East Combined Authority and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership to lead in developing ‘tailored’ programmes for young people providing both health and employment support.

:: The council working with the health service and other partners to develop a single system to identify at risk families and individuals.

:: The leader of the council writing to the Government drawing attention to the findings and recommendations of a recent Newcastle University study on “geographical inequalities in health and wages.”

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The commission will continue throughout 2021 with more recommendations to cabinet expected in future.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, deputy leader of the council, praised the committee for their work so far.

“It’s quite right that [poverty] is on the agenda and that it is at the forefront of what we do,” she said.

“South Tyneside is a wonderful place to live but if you’re in poverty, it doesn’t feel that way.

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“I think we can do all we can working with partners, working with schools, working with the third sector, citizens advice and other organisations.

“But certainly the council as well has to be at the forefront of providing for these families who are most in need.”

Following cabinet backing, council officers will prepare a response and action plan to the recommendations from the People Select Committee.

Councillor Anne Hetherington, cabinet member for independence and wellbeing, added it was important for the cabinet to “keep a close eye” on plans as they develop.

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“It’s very critical particularly with what is happening with Covid,” she said.

“We’re not going to be free of Covid for a long long time and the effects will be with us for many years to come.

“It’s an excellent project but we need to keep an eye on it and make sure that whatever is planned is actually fulfilled.”

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